Tension in the debate: Ángelo Vázquez and Jaime Rincón engage in a heated confrontation over political foray
An intense exchange of ideas and personal accusations marked the recent edition of the program Esto No es Radio Show, where the president of the Antigua Orden Dominicana movement, Ángelo Vázquez, and the communicator Jaime Rincón clashed due to the announcement of the conversion of said civil organization into a political party with electoral aspirations.
This shift towards partisan politics has generated a marked division, questioning the original essence of a movement that was consolidated under the banners of social nationalism and the popular will.
The origin of the discord: Deception or political evolution?
Jaime Rincón expressed his deep dissatisfaction, describing the move as a deception toward the citizens who supported the organization under the premise of a strictly social cause. The communicator recalled past statements by Vázquez, who at the time assured that he would not use his platform for personal political purposes.
What he does not have the right to do is deceive us. Many people supported the Old Order understanding that it was a social cause and not an electoral launchpad.
Jaime Rincón
For his part, Ángelo Vázquez defended his position by arguing that the inaction of the traditional political class makes a new proposal necessary. According to the leader, his decision responds to the people’s frustration with a system that remains stagnant.
We made that decision due to several factors; we have seen that they are playing a game of attrition so that the Dominican people throw in the towel. Only fools do not change their minds.
Ángelo Vázquez
Debate on signature collection
Another point of friction was the registration process before the Central Electoral Board. Rincón questioned whether the citizens who signed in support of the social mobilizations were fully aware that their data would be used to form a political structure.
- Rincón questioned the transparency in obtaining the 40,000 signatures mentioned.
- Vázquez clarified that he has the necessary members to collect half of the required signatures, rejecting any intention of deception.
- The movement’s leader accused Rincón of trying to manipulate the discourse in favor of traditional politics.
Different visions of the nationalist future
The debate also featured the intervention of other panelists, such as lawyer José Martínez Brito, who offered a different perspective by pointing out that the transition to formal politics is a legitimate path to achieve real change from within the system. However, Rincón’s warning about the impact of this decision on the credibility of social movements remains a subject of public debate.
This confrontation makes it clear that the transformation of the Dominican Old Order into a political party will irreversibly redefine its bond with the citizenry and with those who were its allies in the social struggle.
